Health Experts in the Media : Between Legitimacy and Controversy

Traditionally, health experts are called upon mainly by public authorities and academic circles. In recent years, however, thanks to the proliferation of media, 24-hour news channels and digital offerings, there is a growing demand for expert opinions on various health issues.

Expert knowledge can, of course, come from doctors and scientists, however it is not limited to them. Patient associations, caregiver circles, patient influencers, YouTubers and specialist journalists are speaking out, which raises questions concerning the place of the “expert” and the nature of their expertise.

Health Experts in the Media examines health experts’ place in the media in order to define the complexity of their role, question their legitimacy and better understand the controversies they generate.

This book analyzes how expert discourse in the media can raise major scientific, democratic and political issues.